Ledin Leads the Way for Women's Soccer in Season Opener

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Led by freshman forward Krista Ledin (Bridgewater, MA/West Bridgewater) the University of Massachusetts Boston (1-0) women's soccer team opened up their 2011 campaign with a 2-1 win over Western New England University (0-1) Thursday afternoon at Suprenant Field.

Ledin's pair of goals was both netted in the second half. Her first collegiate goal was recorded at the 45:33 mark to break the 0-0 tie. Her second, the game-winner, was recorded with just over 10 minutes to play in the contest. Setting up the decisive goal was Julienne McCuish (Mashpee, MA/Mashpee), who played the ball in behind the Golden Bears defense.

Using her speed to get around the defense, Ledin caught up with McCuish's pass and found herself all alone with Western New England goalkeeper Victoria Trezise. The freshman then redirected the ball past the oncoming netminder to give the Beacons the lead for the final time.

Trezise went on to record a total of five saves in the loss, and had to leave the game with about nine minutes to play after colliding with a UMass Boston forward. For the Beacons, freshman goalkeeper Dani Perkins (Murrieta, CA/Murrieta Valley) was solid from start to finish as she picked up her first college victory.

From start to finish the Beacons played extremely confident. The first half was a stalemate between the two squads, as they recorded a combined eight shots, 5-3 in favor of UMass. In the second half, Western New England outshot the Beacons 8-4, but despite their best efforts were held to just the one goal.

Pacing the Beacons defense was senior all-conference selection Samantha Place (Newton, NJ/Kittatinny). Her hard tackles and strong physical play forced the Golden Bears to look outside rather than bringing the ball up the middle of the field.

In total only six corner kicks were taken the entire afternoon, four of which belonged to Western New England.

Women's soccer returns to action tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m. when they travel to Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.